Portsmouth secured their inaugural victory of the Championship campaign with a convincing 3-1 win at Lincoln City, restoring some confidence after a disappointing start to the season. The visitors, who had dropped their first two league matches by identical scorelines, were under pressure from the outset, yet a swift seventh‑minute strike from Ryan Kavuma‑McQueen gave them the early advantage they needed.
Kavuma‑McQueen collected the ball on the left side of the penalty area and, with a low, precise finish, tucked it into the bottom corner, leaving Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens with little chance. Just nine minutes later, Adrian Segecic doubled Portsmouth's lead. The Australian midfielder took a free‑kick from the edge of the box, curled it with his left foot and sent it sailing past Wickens into the net, making the score 2‑0.
Lincoln fought back before the half‑hour mark. A penalty was awarded after referee adjudged that Zak Swanson had handled a 20‑yard effort from Adam Reach.
Reeco Hackett stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick home, reducing the deficit to 2‑1 and injecting some much‑needed belief into the Imps. The second half began with both sides struggling to create clear chances under the bright afternoon sun at the ProAmpac Stadium.
Lincoln’s captain Tendayi Darikwa was forced off with a knee injury ten minutes after the break, prompting the home side to introduce record signing Andrei Coubis. Portsmouth, however, continued to press, and their persistence paid off when substitute Ebrima Adams found himself with space in the middle of the park. From roughly 25 yards out, Adams unleashed a powerful, well‑placed shot that beat Wickens at the far post, sealing the match at 3‑1 in the 69th minute.
Lincoln attempted to claw back a goal in the closing stages. Segecic came close to completing a hat‑trick five minutes from full‑time, but his low effort was comfortably saved by Wickens, who had been called into action several times throughout the game. The final whistle confirmed Portsmouth’s first win and left Lincoln still searching for their first triumph back in the second tier after more than six decades.
The match featured several notable moments beyond the goals. Early on, Lincoln earned a free‑kick just outside the box, but Adam Reach’s effort was tipped over by Portsmouth keeper Nicolas Schmid. A corner from Ivan Varfolomeev was initially cleared, only for his second set‑piece delivery to be met by Darikwa, whose first‑time shot was deflected away, leading to another corner.
Freddie Draper later found Ben House in a promising position, but House’s attempt lacked the necessary power and was easily saved by Schmid. In the second half, both teams continued to trade blows. Bishop’s looping header was gathered by Wickens, while Varfolomeev and Hackett each saw their attempts drift wide.
Wickens also had to stay alert at the opposite end, pushing away a Bishop strike that threatened to create a second‑minute corner. Post‑match reactions highlighted the mixed emotions surrounding the result. Portsmouth’s captain John Mousinho praised his side’s overall performance, noting that they had faced a team that had amassed 103 points the previous season. He said, "We stood up to Lincoln's physical threat for the most part and, when we settled down, we broke through the lines well and had a real attacking threat at the top of the pitch." He also acknowledged defensive lapses, adding that the goal conceded was not a major issue but that the team needed to improve their solidity.
Lincoln’s manager expressed disappointment, stating, "It was a disappointing result on what was a huge day for the club. I thought we were dominant for the majority of the first half, but we were really disappointed with the goals we conceded.
After a good start, the first goal knocked the wind out of our sails. I was pleased with how we responded, but the second half just petered out a bit." He also highlighted the contributions of Freddy Draper and Ben House in the first half, while urging his side to tighten up defensively in future fixtures.
Overall, the encounter provided a clear indication of Portsmouth’s ability to bounce back after early setbacks, while Lincoln will need to regroup and find a way to secure their first win in the Championship after a long absence from the division. The win also serves as a reminder that early-season form can be volatile, and both clubs will look to build on the lessons learned as the season progresses.